Noisemaking amusement device

ABSTRACT

A NOISEMAKING TOY OR AMUSEMENT DEVICE THAT INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED WOODEN CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS THAT HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES CENTRALLY LOCATED THEREIN. A FLEXIBLE SUPPORTING SHEET HAVING A PLURALITY OF CIRCULAR APERTURES IS PROVIDED, THE APERTURES CONFORMING IN SHAPE TO THE GROOVES, WHEREBY THE SHEET IS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND HOLD THE CENTRAL PORTIONS OF THE MEMBERS. DURING TYPICAL PLAY, A HAND GRIPS THE SHEET BY ITS CORNER OR END AND SHAKES IT VIGOROUSLY, WHEREUPON THE ENDS OF THE MEMBERS STRIKE EACH OTHER ALTERNATELY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SHEET AND CAUSE A CLICKING COMMOTION. IN A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION EACH OF THE MEMBERS HAS AN AXIAL BOREHOLE FORMING A CAVITY THEREIN.

United States Patent [191 Vennola [111 3,837,115 451' Sept. 24, 1974 Assignee: Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.,

New York, NY.

Filed: Feb. 22, 1972 Appl. No.: 227,803

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1953 Caplis 206/46 FR 11/1910 Bartholomae 46/191 Primary ExtzminerRussell R. Kinsey A t t. fiaa n hl Le r I Attorney, Agent, or Firm Martin Novack; Spencer E. Olson [57] ABSTRACT A noisemaking toy or amusement device that includes a plurality of elongated wooden cylindrical members that have circumferential grooves centrally located therein. A flexible supporting sheet having a plurality of circular apertures is provided, the apertures conforming in shape to the grooves, whereby the sheet is adapted to receive and hold the central portions of the members. During typical play, a hand grips the sheet by its corner or end and shakes it vigorously, whereupon the ends of the members strike each other alternately on opposite sides of the sheet and cause a clicking commotion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention each of the members has an axial borehole fonning a cavity therein.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATEN TED SEP 2 4 I974 sum 10F 2 a A A W w g 6 5 6 W 1 m K x 1 NOISEMAKING AMUSEMENT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to amusement devices and, more particularly, to toys or amusement devices of a noisemaking nature that are especially suitable for amusing a young child.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an amusement device for a young child that makes noises without being unduly loud or disturbing, has an interesting noisemaking mechanism that stimulates the childs interest, and is of a sturdy and safe construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a noisemaking toy or amusement device that includes a plurality of elongated cylindrical members having circumferential grooves located therein. A flexible supporting sheet having a plurality of circular apertures is provided. The apertures conform substantially to the grooves, whereby the sheet is adapted to receive and hold the central portions of the members. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the members are constructed of wood and each member has an axial borehole forming a cavity therein.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of a member in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the member of FIG. 1 as taken through the arrows designated 22;

FIG. 3 is an elevation perspective view of another part in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in assembled form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an elongated cylindrical member that is preferably formed of wood. The member 20 has a pair of axial boreholes 21 in its opposite ends that form acoustically resonant cavities. Between these cavities is a solid central portion that contains a circumferential groove having an inner diameter designated by the letter D. Communicating with each of the end cavities is a pair of longitudinal slots 24 that extend the length of the cavities and effectively divide each cavity into two separate halves. The division in this manner of the cavities 21 enhances the level of sound that results when the cavity walls are made to vibrate, such as by striking them. The enhancement results from the relative freedom of vibration of two separate sides of the cavity in a tuning fork" type of effect. This concept is also disclosed in my co-pending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 227,820 entitled Musical Amusement Device, filed of even date herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a thin flexible sheet 30 that has a plurality of circular apertures 31 formed therein. It is preferred that the sheet 30 be of a soft natural gurn rubber but other flexible materials may also be suitable. The array of apertures 31 is preferably symmetrical with substantially equal spacings S between adjacent apertures. In the illustrated embodiment, a central aperture is surrounded by six identical apertures forming a symmetrical circular pattern. Each of the apertures has a diameter D that conforms to the inner diameter of the groove 23 of member 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown in assembled form a preferred embodiment of the invention which utilizes a set" of seven wooden members 20 of the type described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and an apertured sheet 30 as shown in FIG. 3. The sheet 30 is formed of a material that is sufficiently stretchable to allow each member 20 to be forced through the aperture until the groove 23 is encountered. During insertion, the aperture temporarily stretches in size but immediately returns to shape to grip the smaller diameter D of the apertured portion of the members 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 the assembled amusement device is shown as resting on a flat surface in a stable rest position defined by the flat bases of the members 23. The amusement device is most effectively utilized as a noisemaker by gripping the sheet 30 in a hand by its corner or end and shaking it vigorously, whereupon the ends of the members 20 strike each other alternately on opposite sides of sheet 30 causing a clicking commotion. It is preferred that the half-length of the members, L/2 (see FIG. 2), be substantially greater than the distance S separating the apertures so that, even with a minimum of flexibility in the sheet 30, the ends of the members 20 will likely be displaced enough during shaking to strike each other and cause the desired noises. It is preferred that the half-length L/2 be at least twice the aperture separation S.

While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it will be appreciated that variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, more or less members than are shown may be employed in different designs. Also, it will be appreciated that the present amusement device is intended for possible disassembly and reassembly by a child with constructional inclinations.

I claim:

1. An noise making amusement device comprising:

a plurality of elongated cylindrical members having circumferential grooves centrally located therein; and

a flexible sheet having a plurality of circular apertures therein, said apertures conforming substantially to said grooves, the peripheries of said apertures receiving and holding the central portions of said members at said grooves whereby manipulating the flexible sheet will cause at least two of said members to strike each other generating noise.

2. An amusement device as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said members has an axial borehole forming a cavity therein.

3. An amusement device as defined by claim 2 wherein said members are constructed of wood.

4. An amusement device as defined by claim 3 wherein each of said members has a pair of longitudinal slots communicating with said borehole.

5. An amusement device as defined by claim 4 wherein said slots effectively divide each of said cavities into two equal halves.

9. An amusement device as defined by claim 8 wherein each end of each of said members has a pair of longitudinal slots communicating with the corresponding borehole.

10. An amusement device as defined by claim 7 wherein the half-length of said members is more than about twice the distance separating the apertures in said sheet. 

